Mr. Ameen Sayani

If one is above 40 years and lover of Hindi film songs, I am sure he/she would have heard the name of Ameen Sayani. A man with a distinct voice.

His Geetmala program was quite interesting and entertaining. I remember listening to it in Radio Ceylon during early 70s.

That way I knew Hindi songs earlier than that. Thanks to my mother. She was an ardent lover of Hindi movies. I believe her father – my grandfather – used to take her and her sister to all the Hindi movies of 40s and 50s, 2^nd show in an imported car – Morris Minor!

Coming back to Mr. Ameen Sayani. He used to entertain us with his unique style.)

After being 50 years (yes, Golden Jubilee) in Radio, he is giving life to the songs of those days. He has brought out 35 volumes of his talk and songs. The specialty of the volumes is like this.

Geetmala (with various Toothpastes attached to its name) was mainly catering to the popularity of the songs of the week – depending on many factors.

Then many programs based on Geetmala were aired in radio.

Saregama hit upon an idea.

The songs which are famous for the year are ok. But how about some songs which are really good (in fact, more excellent than the ‘popular’ ones)?

So, the idea of Geetmala ki Chhao mein was born. The meaning is simple. The songs of Geetmala which remained in the obscure.

The Geetmala started from 1952. So the volumes started from that year. Now the volumes are 35, but the years covered ends at 1972. At least 5 years are still left for the silver jubilee of Geetmala.

The format is like this. The popular songs are mentioned and a few lines are played. At the same time, the not so popular but melodious songs are played almost full. Added to these, interviews of the stars, music directors, lyricists and the whole gamut of Bollywood.

The mix is very heady!

I keep listening to them whenever I find time. In fact, I have emailed him my happiness and grouse. Mr. Ameen Sayani has replied me!

He talks about some things which we always wanted to know and we never knew!

Can you believe that he is 80 year old this year!

But the voice is the same as the first day. May God bless him with long life and the same distinct voice so that he completes at least another 10 volumes which he is planning.